Political leaders optimistic about tourism sector

Tunisia Tourism  Tunis – Nabil Zaghdoud Convoys of tourists have returned to El Hanaa International hotel in Avenue Habib Bourguiba, central Tunis, the capital, in a scene which many consider an indicator of Tunisia’s restoration of its vital tourism industry, which was speeding ahead until the had revolution. The revolution caused a setback for the tourist sector, whic employs more than 400, 000 job and makes up some seven percent of the national GDP, as well as supporting the economy with more than three billion dollars.
The lawlessness that accompanied the revolution, caused a halt in income generated by tourism, by 40 per cent. The number of tourists who visited Tunisia in 2011 was not more than 4.8 million tourists, while in 2010 it was seven million.
However, almost 16 months after the revolution, which toppled the regime of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on January 14, 2011, Tunisia, has started to regain its tourism might. According to the officials, the tourism sector has improved by 25% in the first quarter of this year, compared to the same period last year.
In a statement to Arabstoday, Habib Ammar, Director General of the Tunisian National Tourism Board (ONTT) said: “Primary indications show that Tunisia has started to regain its status as a tourist main destination in the Mediterranean region.”
He added: “After the tourism section lost more than 33 per cent of its revenues, and the number of visitors decreased by 32 per cent, the first four months of the current year emphasise the improvement of the sector as the revenues have increased by 33 per cent and the number of visitors have increased by more than 57 per cent.” He stressed that 2012 indicators are good, adding: “This growth is by virtue of the improvement of the security situation in the country, and the political stability that the country is experiencing with this smooth democratic transition”.
He pointed out: “We have set a target to reach the number of seven million tourists and achieve revenues of three billion dollars.”
The Tunisian Minister for Tourism, Elias al-Fekhfak has shown great optimism about the future of the tourism industry and stressed during an interview with Shems FM radio station, that the sector had restored 80% of its activity during the last four months and revenues have returned to what they were in 2010, before the revolution. He added that: “bookings bode well, as we expect six million tourists or even more in Tunisia for this year,” stressing that the number has reached one million and 200 thousand tourists so far.
The Tunisian government, has lately, approved a strategy for the next five years, which aims to raise the number of tourists to 10 million per year. This strategy is based on the consideration of new markets, intensifying promotions in established ones, in addition to the intensification of the Tunisian presence in activities relating to tourism, and of using new technologies in promoting Tunisian tourism instead of the traditional methods.
However, in front of these expressions of optimism from political officials, people working in the tourism sector regard this optimism as exaggerated.
Mohamed al-Shabi, an expert and investor in the tourism sector, told Arabstoday that, counting on achieving the maximum possible number of tourists is not enough in promoting the sector. He added, that what the Tunisian tourism is suffering today is due to the policy which has been adopted for 15 years, and depends on the “All Inclusive” system, which harmed the field and focused on quantity at the expense of quality.
The tourism sector will face a real test during the next few days, in the form of Jewish pilgrimage to El Ghriba Synagogue in Djerba. The Islamic government in the country, has reinforced its security preparations for the success of this event, which would be a key measure of the sector's recovery.